Data on the distribution of herpetofauna of southern Niger with comments on Termit & Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve

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1 74 Bol. Asoc. Herpetol. Esp. (2013) 24(1) Data on the distribution of herpetofauna of southern Niger with comments on Termit & Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve Duarte Vasconcelos Gonçalves, Francisco Álvares & José Carlos Brito CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos da Universidade do Porto. Instituto de Ciências Agrárias de Vairão. Rua Padre Armando Quintas, Vairão. Portugal. C.e.: duartegoncalves@cibio.up.pt Fecha de aceptación: 9 de mayo de Key words: Sahara, Sahel, mountains, overland expedition, dry season. RESuMEN: Se aportan los resultados herpetológicos de una expedición científica realizada en abril-mayo de 2012 al sur de Niger, una remota zona que incluye la Reserva Natural de Termit & Tin Toumma. Se observaron 27 especies de reptiles y tres de anfibios. Debido al elevado desconocimiento herpetológico de la región, muchas de las nuevas citas aumentan o cubren grandes vacios en la distribución de las especies halladas. North Africa presents a wide variety of landscapes and habitats which harbours many amphibian and reptile species (Schleich et al., 1996; Chippaux, 2001; Trape & Mané, 2006; Sindaco & Jeremcenko, 2008; Trape et al., 2012). The degree of knowledge varies considerably depending on the region, however. While some areas like Morocco and Western Sahara, or the region near Egypt and the Red Sea are better explored, with atlases available on the distribution of herpetofauna (Baha El Din, 1996; Bons & Geniez, 1996; Geniez et al., 2004), general remoteness is responsible for large exploration gaps. Added sociopolitical instability and occasional armed conflicts render some areas, like the central Saharan mountains, particularly difficult to access. Niger is one of such cases. Distribution data for the country can be found in classical references (e.g. Angel & Lhote, 1928; De Witte, 1930; Angel, 1950; Guibé, 1950), naturalist work in the second half of the 20 th Century (e.g. Heu, 1962; Papenfuss, 1969; Joger, 1981; Kriska, 2001) and broad-scale field guides (Trape & Mané, 2006; Sindaco & Jeremcenko, 2008; Trape et al., 2012). Recently, several works have been published which started to include molecular data (e.g. Crochet et al., 2003; Harris et al., 2007; Para ver Anexos ir a < Rato et al., 2007; Froufe et al., 2009; Fujita & Papenfuss, 2011; Geniez et al., 2011; Gonçalves et al., 2012; Mediannikov et al., 2012). Still, the geographic distribution of many species is poorly known. Here we report our recent observations of amphibians and reptiles during an expedition to Southern Niger, and compare them with published data. Special emphasis is given to the Termit & Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve, created on March 6, 2012 and totalling almost 100,000 km 2. This reserve was primarily aimed at the protection of addax (Addax nasomaculatus), dama gazelle (Gazella dama), Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) and Northwest African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki), as well as supporting the local nomadic people ( Tin-Toumma-Niger), and encompasses the Termit Massif, as well as a vast portion of Tin Toumma desert and part of the Great Bilma Erg ( Twelve reptile species are reported for the approximate area of the reserve (Trape & Mané, 2006; Trape et al., 2012). Additionally, an online checklist produced by ASS-Niger (Anonymous, 2012) refers 17 reptile species. All species repor-

2 Bol. Asoc. Herpetol. Esp. (2013) 24(1) 75 Figure 1: Transect (line) and geographic locations (white dots) of collected observations. Figura 1: Transecto (línea) y localizaciones geográficas (puntos blancos) de las observaciones recogidas. ted to occur have widespread distributions, and both relict populations (e.g. Agama boueti, Latastia longicaudata) and Sahara endemic species (e.g. Acanthodactylus longipes) can be found. The study area covered southern Niger and the overland expedition spread over 15 days, between April, 28 and May, 13 of 2012 (Figure 1). The sampling strategy involved a transect covering various Sahara and Sahel ecosystems and habitats such as sand deserts (erg), firm ground deserts (reg), rocky plateaus (hammada), dry river beds (oued), semi-arid grasslands, savannas, steppes, and thorn shrublands (Figure 2). Sampling points were selected along transect based on the diversity of biotopes. A total of 102 observations for 27 reptile species and seven observations for three amphibian species were recorded (see Supplementary Material). Identification of the species was based on published taxonomic keys (Geniez et al., 2004; Trape & Mané, 2006; Trape et al., 2012) and posteriorly reviewed by Philippe Geniez (EPHEuMR 5175) and Pierre-André Crochet (CNRS-uMR 5175) based on photographs. Observations with available photographic data were uploaded to Observado.org (Supplementary Material). It should be noted, however, that due to the website s restriction regarding species names, some records may appear identified differently from this work. For each captured specimen photographs were taken prior to release. The spatial location of specimens was georeferenced by a Global Positioning System (GPS), using the WGS84 coordinate system, and downloaded into a database with an interface for a Geographical Information System (GIS). Comments are made for occurrences expanding distribution

3 76 Bol. Asoc. Herpetol. Esp. (2013) 24(1) a Foto F. Álvares Foto D. Gonçalves b Figure 2: Typical habitats at Termit Massif mountain (a) and Tin Toumma sandy desert (b). Figura 2: Hábitats típicos en el Macizo de Termit (a) y el desierto de arena de Tin Toumma (b). limits, taking Trape and Mané (2006) and Trape et al. (2012) as reference, or adding information to the knowledge of the natural history of a species (marked with * in Supplementary Material). Reptiles - Agama agama Linnaeus, 1758 Zinder, Gouré, Mainé-Soroa and Diffa. Found mostly on human settlements. Although the species complex is referenced for Niger and Chad, these records fill a gap of hundreds of kilometres. - Agama boueti Chabanaud, 1917 (Figure 3) Diffa and Kélakam. These specimens were found in the characteristic shrubland habitat, filling a distribution gap in Niger. - Agama paragama Grandison, 1968 Diffa and Nguigmi. These records add to the northern distribution of the species. - Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti, 1768 Gouré and Nguigmi. Distribution slightly extended to the East within Niger. - Tropiocolotes steudneri (Peters, 1869) - Diora Aouoranga, Termit. This is the first record for the reserve, expanding the known distribution more than 250 km to the East, since in Niger it was only known from Aïr Mountains (Trape et al., 2012). - Acanthodactylus cf. senegalensis Nguigmi and Ngourti. Known species distribution is expanded to the South and East, at about 50 km from Lake Chad. - Acanthodactylus longipes Bouelnger 1921 Ngourti, Koussa Arma and Tin Toumma. These records expand the distribution in Niger to the East. A huge gap still persists between these observations and the published occurrence in Chad. - Mesalina pasteuri (Bons, 1960) (Figure 3) Tin Toumma. First report for the Reserve and the third record for Niger, although not significantly adding to the species known distribution. - Scincopus fasciatus Kélakam and Tasker. The first point adds to the southern distribution of the species, whereas the second falls in the centre of a previous large gap in Niger. - Scincopus fasciatus / Scincus albifasciatus Madaranga, Termit and Louli Agadem Nga, Termit. Identification of these two records was based solely on tracks. Although it is not possible to distinguish among the species based on the tracks, they

4 Bol. Asoc. Herpetol. Esp. (2013) 24(1) 77 are proof that at least one of them is present in the reserve. Both species are reported for Niger, but assessing their presence in the reserve is dependent on future surveys. - Pelomedusa subrufa olivacea Schweigger, 1812 Zinder. This record adds to the area of occurrence in the Sahel. This terrapin is also present in Aïr Mountains (Trape et al., 2012), but there is no information whether there is a suitable habitat connection to Sahelian populations. - Varanus griseus Ngourti and Tin Toumma. Slightly expanding known distribution in Niger to the East, sightings were far more frequent in Tin Toumma. - Cerastes vipera (Linné, 1758) (Figure 3) Nguigmi. Known distribution in Niger is expanded to the South and East, to less than 50 km from Chad. a b c Fotos F. Álvares During the expedition we registered two confirmed new species, Mesalina pasteuri, Tropiocolotes steudneri, for the Termit & Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve. Additionally, one other new species for the area is highly likely, Scincopus fasciatus or Scincus albifasciatus, but still need confirmation (see above). For a total of 18 species reported for the reserve, we observed eight inside reserve limits plus three more in the near premises. We include A. boueti in the confirmed species, given that the referenced A. impalearis (online list) is a clear misidentification. The latter species is restricted to the western Maghreb (Trape et al., 2012). The other species not detected in our survey but known from the reserve (Anonymous, 2012) are: Eryx muelleri (Synonim: Gongylophis muelleri), Hemidactylus brooki, Psammophis schokari, Spalerosophis diadema, Tropiocolotes tripolitanus, Stenodactylus petrii, and Latastia longicaudata. The latter two are concordant with published Figure 3: (a) A. boueti, Termit (observation 6727); (b) M. pasteuri, Tin Toumma (observation 6692); (c) C. vipera, Nguigmi (observation 6658). Figura 3: (a) A. boueti, Termit (observación 6727); (b) M. pasteuri, Tin Toumma (observación 6692); (c) C. vipera, Nguigmi (observación 6658). data (Trapé et al., 2012). According to Trape and Mané (2006), Echis ocellatus also occurs in the reserve, although it was neither observed by us nor listed online. The main reason that could explain the lack of observation of several species is the fact that the expedition was performed during the peak of the dry season, when most animals are less acti-

5 78 Bol. Asoc. Herpetol. Esp. (2013) 24(1) ve (Cowles & Bogert, 1944). One illustrative example of the unfavourable conditions for animal activity is that the only active Acanthodactylus found at Tin Toumma were juveniles, and were only observed until 11am. This is totally opposite to their behaviour in autumn, when they are active during 10am-16pm (Duvdevani & Borut, 1974; Pérez Mellado, 1992). All of the species present in the reserve have widespread distributions across the Sahara and/or the Sahel, and most of them are also reported for major mountain systems in Sahara. Actually, most of the reported species are present in Aïr. Such observations raise the possibility that other species may have also been able to survive until the present around the Termit Massif. Confirmation of this hypothesis requires however additional survey efforts. This note provides additional data to the poorly known distributions of amphibians and reptiles in Niger and is at the same time the first published list of herpetofauna species present in the Termit & Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve. This constitutes however just another step for the comprehensive mapping of biodiversity in the area and further investigation should ensue. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This study was partially supported by a Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund grant (project # ) to DVG and by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (PTDC/BIA-BEC/099934/2008) through Eu Programme COMPETE. DVG has a research fellowship (SFRH/BD/78402/2011) and JCB has a contract (Programme Ciência 2007), both from FCT. Logistic support for fieldwork was given by the Sahara Conservation Fund ( the Projet Antilopes Sahélo-Sahariennes ( and by Pedro Santos Lda (Trimble GPS). T. Rabeil and I. Houdou assisted the fieldwork. Acknowledgments extended to P.-A. Crochet and P. Geniez for helping with the species identifications. REFERENCES Angel, F. & Lhote, H Reptiles et amphibiens du Sahara Central et du Soudan. Bulletin du Comité d Études Historiques et Scientifiques de l'afrique Occidentale Française, 21: Angel, F Lézards Contribution a l Étude de l'air. Mémoires de l Institut Français d'afrique Noire, nº 10. Anonymous Tableaux des espèces: Reptiles et Amphibiens, ASS-Niger. &id_rubrique=15. Accessed October 20, Baha El Din, S A Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Egypt. The American university in Cairo Press, Cairo. Bons, J. & Geniez, P Amphibians & Reptiles of Morocco. AHE, Barcelona. Chippaux, J Les serpents d Afrique occidentale et centrale. IRD Éditions. Cowles, R.B. & Bogert, C.M A preliminary study of the thermal requirements of desert reptiles. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 83, Crochet, P.A., Geniez, P. & Ineich, I A multivariate analysis of the fringe-toed lizards of the Acanthodactylus scutellatus group (Squamata: Lacertidae): systematic and biogeographical implications. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 137: Duvdevani, I. & Borut, A Mean body temperature and heat absorption in four species of Acanthodactylus lizards (Lacertidae). Herpetologica, 30: Froufe, E., Brito, J.C. & Harris, D.J Phylogeography of North African Amietophrynus xeros estimated from mitochondrial DNA sequences. African Zoology, 44: 1-8. Fujita, M.K. & Papenfuss, T.J Molecular systematics of Stenodactylus (Gekkonidae), an Afro-Arabian gecko species complex. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 58: Geniez, P., Mateo, J.A., Geniez, M. & Pether, J The amphibians and reptiles of Western Sahara: an atlas and field guide. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main. Geniez, P., Padial, J.M. & Crochet, P Systematics of North African Agama (Reptilia: Agamidae): a new species from the central Saharan mountains. Zootaxa, 46: Gonçalves, D.V., Brito, J.C., Crochet, P.A., Geniez, P., Padial, J.M. & Harris, D.J Phylogeny of North African Agama lizards (Reptilia: Agamidae) and the role of the Sahara desert in vertebrate speciation. Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 64: Guibé, J Batraciens Contribution a l Étude de l'air. Mémoires de l Institut Français d'afrique Noire, nº 10. Harris, D.J., Vaconcelos, R. & Brito, J.C Genetic variation within African spiny-tailed lizards (Agamidae: Uromastyx) estimated using mitochondrial DNA sequences. Amphibia-Reptilia, 28: 1-6. Heu, R.M Note sur la faune du Ténéré Missions Berliet Ténéré-Tchad, Paris.

6 Bol. Asoc. Herpetol. Esp. (2013) 24(1) 79 Joger, u Zur herpetofaunistik Westafrikas. Bonner Zoologische Beiträege, 32: Kriska, M Contribution a l inventaire chorologique des bioge oceǹoses de l'ai r et du Tamesna nige rien Me moires et travaux de l Institut de Montpellier, nº 24. EPHE; CIRAD, Montpellier. Mediannikov, O., Trape, S. & Trape, J A molecular study of the genus Agama (Squamata: Agamidae) in West Africa, with description of two new species and a review of the taxonomy, geographic distribution and ecology of currently recognized species. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 19: Papenfuss, T.J A preliminary analysis of the reptiles of arid Central West Africa. Wasmann Journal of Biology, 27: Pérez Mellado, V Ecology of lacertid lizards in a desert area of eastern Morocco. Journal of Zoology, 226: Rato, C., Brito, J.C., Carretero, M.A., Larbes, S., Shacham, B. & Harris, D.J Phylogeography and genetic diversity of Psammophis schokari (Serpentes) in North Africa based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. African Zoology, 42: Schleich, H.H., Kästle, W. & Kabisch, K Amphibians and reptiles of North Africa: biology, systematics, field guide. Koeltz Scientific Books, Koenigstein. Sindaco, R. & Jeremcenko, V.K The Reptiles of the Western Palearctic 1: Annotated checklist and distributional atlas of the Turtles, Crocodiles, Amphisbaenians and Lizards of Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia. Edizioni Belvedere. Trape, J.F. & Mané, Y Guide des serpents d Afrique occidentale: Savane et désert. IRD Éditions. Trape, J.F., Trape, S. & Chirio, L Lézards, crocodiles et tortues d Afrique occidentale et du Sahara. IRD Éditions. Witte, G.F Mission Saharienne Augiéras-Draper, Reptiles et batraciens. Bulletin du Museum National d Histoire Naturelle, 2: New data on the distribution range of Hemidactylus turcicus in Portugal Pedro A. Salgueiro 1,2, Denis Medinas 1,2, Carmo Silva 1,2, Alexandra Silva 3 & António Mira 1,2 1 Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos - CIBIO-Évora Évora. Portugal. 2 Department of Biology. University of Évora Évora. Portugal. 3 SECIL - Companhia de Cal e Cimento, S.A. Centro Técnico Corporativo CTEC-CTBD Setúbal. Portugal. C.e.: projecto.secil@gmail.com Fecha de aceptación: 17 de febrero de Key words: Turkish gecko, new record, distribution, west coast of Portugal. RESuMEN: En Portugal, la salamanquesa rosada Hemidactylus turcicus solamente está presente en la costa sur y en zonas interiores del sudeste. En este trabajo se describe la existencia de una nueva población que expande la distribución de esta especie por la costa portuguesa. El hallazgo ocurrió en primavera y verano de 2010 durante los inventarios de fauna realizados en una cantera restaurada en Setúbal. La nueva localidad se halla a 70 km de la población más cercana hasta ahora conocida y se especulan dos posibles hipótesis para su aparente aislamiento: (1) un deficiente esfuerzo de prospección en la zona, o (2) una dispersión a larga distancia debida al transporte humano involuntario. The Turkish gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is native to countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and is very frequently associated to humanized habitats (Arnold & Ovenden, 2002). They live in warm, dry areas and often thrive in anthropogenic landscape including rock piles, stone walls, cliffs, ruins and around or inside houses (Mateus & Jacinto, 2008; Lisičić et al., 2012). In Portugal, its known distribution range is until now restricted to the south coast and southeastern inland territories, generally below 400 masl (Mateus & Jacinto, 2008). In this study we describe a recent location of the Turkish gecko in Portugal far from the nearest known locations. We surveyed geckos in spring and summer of 2010 at SECIL-Outão cement plant (38º29 48 N / 8º56 24 W; utm 10 x 10 km NC06) as a part of an inventory of faunal communities occurring at SECIL-Outão's property. Two sampling techniques were carried out: diur-